DAFF, The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, has called the international travelers, who are visiting South Africa during the festive season, to adhere to the import requirements of country in terms of agricultural and related regulated products.

The department said that the adherence will help the country in forbidding and reducing the possible risk of presenting alien invasive species, foreign pests and diseases, which could be related with the animals, animal products imported plants, plant products, and other regulated goods.

“South Africa, like any other country, has a crucial mandate and sovereign right to protect its territory, biodiversity and economy against harm,” the department explained.

The country modulates by importing plants and plant products, animals and animal products, liquor products, honey and honey products, and apart from this various other potentially harmful materials from other countries.

“Once a quarantine pest or disease is introduced into the country, we find it difficult and expensive to control and manage, thus prevention is imperative. Furthermore, the importation of certain liquor products with an alcohol content of more than 1% into the country for drinking purposes is restricted, except on the authority of an import certificate issued by DAFF,” the department said.

It has to been kept in mind that the conditions for import may differ as per to the country of origin/export, global pest distribution and type of products.

However, the travelers are well-advised to contact DAFF offices for detailed information regarding the product to be imported.

“Upon arrival in South Africa, all the imported consignments of above mentioned regulated products must be presented to the DAFF inspectors at the port of entry for compliance inspections, as per import conditions. The consignments may not be removed from the port of entry without written authorization or before being granted entry by the DAFF inspectors,” the department said.